Miscarriage - vaginal bleeding; Threatened abortion - vaginal bleeding Spotting is when you notice a few drops of blood every now and then on your underwear. It is not enough to cover a panty liner. Bleeding is a heavier flow of blood. With bleeding, you will need a liner or pad to keep the blood from soaking
your clothes. Ask your health care provider more about the difference between spotting and bleeding at one of your first prenatal visits. Some spotting is normal very early in pregnancy. Still, it is a good idea to tell your provider about it. If you have had an ultrasound that
confirms you have a normal pregnancy, call your provider the day you first see the spotting. If you have spotting and have not yet had an ultrasound, contact your provider right away. Spotting can be a sign of a pregnancy where the fertilized egg develops outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy). An untreated ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening for the woman. What Causes Vaginal Bleeding?Bleeding in the 1st trimester is not always a problem. It may be caused by:
More serious causes of first-trimester bleeding include:
What Will My Provider Need to Know?Your provider may need to know these things to find the cause of your vaginal bleeding:
Treatment for Vaginal BleedingMost of the time, the treatment for bleeding is rest. It is important to see your provider and have testing done to find the cause of your bleeding. Your provider may advise you to:
Very heavy bleeding may require a hospital stay or surgical procedure. What if I Discharge More than Blood?If something other than blood comes out, call your provider right away. Put the discharge in a jar or a plastic bag and bring it with you to your appointment. Your provider will check to see if you are still pregnant. You will be closely watched with blood tests to see if you are still pregnant. If you are no longer pregnant, you may need more care from your provider, such as medicine or possibly surgery. When to Call the DoctorCall or go to your provider right away if you have:
If you cannot reach your provider, go to the emergency room. If your bleeding has stopped, you still need to call your provider. Your provider will need to find out what caused your bleeding. ReferencesFrancois KE, Foley MR. Antepartum and postpartum hemorrhage. In: Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds. Gabbe's Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 18. Salhi BA, Nagrani S. Acute complications of pregnancy. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 178. Version InfoLast reviewed on: 10/5/2020 Reviewed by: John D. Jacobson, MD, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda Center for Fertility, Loma Linda, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. How much spotting is normal in first trimester?About 20% of women have some bleeding during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Possible causes of first trimester bleeding include: Implantation bleeding. You may experience some normal spotting within the first six to 12 days after you conceive as the fertilized egg implants itself in the lining of the uterus.
Is it OK to spot during first trimester?It's normal to have some spotting or bleeding early in pregnancy. Bleeding or spotting in the first trimester may not be a problem.
What causes spotting in first trimester?The fertilized egg floats into its new home and must attach itself to the uterine lining to get oxygen and nutrition. This settling in can cause light spotting or bleeding. Implantation bleeding usually happens just before you expect your period to begin.
When should I be worried about spotting during pregnancy?Contact your health care provider the same day if you have light vaginal bleeding that goes away within a few hours. Contact your health care provider immediately if you have any amount of vaginal bleeding that lasts longer than a few hours or is accompanied by abdominal pain, cramping, fever, chills or contractions.
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